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Performance Evaluation and Adaptability Study of Fodder Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Cultivars in Highlands of Bale Zone South East Ethiopia

Received: 26 February 2024     Accepted: 23 March 2024     Published: 17 April 2024
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Abstract

Shortage animal feed interims of quality and quantity is the major bottle neck in livestock production through the year in Ethiopia particularly in the highlands of Bale Zone. A study was conducted at Sinana Agricultural Research Center (SARC), South East Ethiopia for three consecutive cropping season (2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23) in two locations (Sinana on station and Agarfa subsite) to evaluate the adaptability of four Cultivars of Fodder beet (namely Bircks, Kulumsa, Magnum and Robbos). Experimental plots were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. All cultivars were performed well. However, there is significant variation among the Cultivars. The combined result over locations over years indicated that, Kulumsa cultivars gives the highest shoot fresh biomass yield (41.88 t ha-1), root fresh biomass yield (86.49 t ha-1) and shoot Dry biomass yield (4.52 t ha-1). The remaining cultivars have not statistically significant different. Based on the results of this study, it is concluded that the Fodder beet Kulumsa cultivars was found a promising in terms of grain and biomass yield, than others that could be demonstrated and popularized as an alternative feed resources under smallholder conditions in the study areas and with similar climatic and edaphic conditions.

Published in American Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering (Volume 12, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.bio.20241202.12
Page(s) 32-39
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Fodder Beet, Improved Forage, Root Forage

1. Introduction
Livestock and especially ruminants are an essential component of most of the agricultural production systems in sub-Saharan Africa. Livestock is an integral component for most of the agricultural activities in Ethiopia. The livestock sector has a share of 12-16% of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and 30-35% of agricultural GDP Poor nutritive forage is the major causes of livestock productivity in smallholders' farms.
One option for improving the performance of low to medium intensity systems is the integration of crop sequences to improve the ‘feed base’ by incorporating forage crops which increase DM tonnage and feed efficiency . Fodder beet used both above and below growth parts (leaves and roots) are used to feed the animals but, the main fodder is tuberous roots Fodder beet has been adopted as a winter forage, due to high yields (> 20 ton DM/ha) , of sugar dense and highly utilizable bulb. Its high content of carbohydrates per dry matters which is sown autumn and winter feeding of dairy herds grazed during late lactation and winter , or harvested and stored for 3 months above ground and fed as an early lactation source of water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) in spring. However, the integration of complementary forages to circumvent seasonal herbage deficits can reduce profit and increase risk exposure, particularly during periods of climatic and economic adversity . The extended growing season (> 200 days) and rotation length of FB (>12 months) increase the opportunity cost compared with that for alternative forage crops such as maize grown for silage, which has a shorter growing season (150 days) and can be reintroduced to the grazing rotation within six months .
In Ethiopia, adaptation and releasing of improved forage varieties done in different agro-ecologies. However, improved forage varieties were not well adopted in country; particularly in the study area especially fodder beet varieties not evaluated in highlands of Bale Zone. Therefore, the objective of this study was to select high biomass yield fodder Beet Cultivars for Highlands of Bale and similar agro-ecologies.
2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Description of the Study Area

The study was conducted in Bale Zone, Sinana on station that 463.3 km far from Addis Ababa and 33.3 km from Robe City in the South East. Its geographical location is 070°7’N latitude and 40°10’E longitude. An annual average of rainfall of 1174 mm. The area has bimodal rainfall pattern with distinct peaks in April and September . Agarfa is Located at an elevation of 2466.75 m.a.s.l. The district’s yearly temperature is 14.39°C.
Figure 1. Map of the study areas of Sinana on station, Sinana and Agarfa district.

2.2. Treatments and Experimental Design

A total of four (4) Cultivars of Fodder beet Bircks, Kulumsa, Magnum and Robbos) were evaluated in RCBD with three replications. Plot size of 2 x 3m2 was used. Seedling was raised on bed and transplanted to well-prepared arable land at spacing of 0.5 m between plants and between rows. Weeding and Hoeing was done accordingly.

2.3. Data Collection and Analysis

All relevant data including plant height (shoot and root length), dry shoot and Root biomass yield and Herbage shoot and root biomass were collected. Plant height: it was measured after 5 months when Biomass was taken root and shoots separately from five randomly taken plants and was averaged on per plant basis by using 50 cm Ruler.
Dry Fodder yield (shoot and root weight): five plants randomly taken from inner rows and manually harvested. It was taken after chopping into 5 cm - 8 cm length of 200 g for shoot, 500g and then oven dry at 35°C for 48hrs weight and then converted tone per hectare based The dry matter production (t ha-1) was calculated as: - (10 x TotFWx (DWss/ HA x FWss)) . Where: TotFW = total fresh weight from a plot in kg, DWss = dry weight of the sample in grams, FWss = fresh weight of the sample in grams, HA = Harvest area meter square and, 10 = is a constant for conversion of yields in kg /m2 to t ha-1. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Analysis Software to perform ANOVA (SAS 9.1). Means of all treatments were calculated and the difference was tested for significance using the least significant difference (LSD) test at p < 0.05 .
Statistical model was: Yij = μ + τi + βj + εijk, where µ = the overall mean, τi = the treatment effect ith, βj = the block (replication) effect of jth replication and ∈ijk = error effect.
3. Results and Discussion
Growth Parameters, Yield Components and Yields
The results analysis of variance indicated significant different for total herbage dry matter yield of the four cultivars over two sites is shown in table 1. Root dry biomass and total dry biomass were significantly affected by the cultivars, location, and year with a significant interaction, so data for individual locations in each year are presented.
Table 1. Mean squares of ANOVA for yields and yield components of Fodder beet cultivars.

Source of variations

Mean squares

DF

Shoot FBMY

Root FBMY

Root DBMY

Shoot DBMY

Total DBMY

Root Length

Shoot Length

Cult

3

2142.8**

9102.40**

34.203*

10.82**

70.1**

147.291**

1079.5**

Loc

1

91.4NS

16500.3**

626.64**

0.4894NS

588.05**

88.674*

3414.5*

Yrs

2

10320*

23621.1**

447.026**

34.77**

580.74**

121.96**

9135.4**

Loc*Yrs

2

200.10*

22052.3**

835.352*

17.08

1072.6*

150.80**

10262.7*

Cult*Loc

3

52.4NS

882.8**

6.18NS

6.4974*

2.3NS

10.727*

111.3**

Cult*Yrs

6

861.6**

2235.4**

85.765**

1.6309NS

87.49**

13.475**

53**

Cult*Loc*Yrs

6

71*

1315.9**

57.016**

1.3396NS

71.57**

15.771**

55.6**

Error

120

27.1

131

6.063

0.7335

7.05

2.251

7

Loc= Locations, Cult=Cultivars, DF=Degree of freedom, FBMY= fresh biomass yield, DBMY=Dry Biomass yield in tone per hectare, * = significant different (0.05), ** = highly significant different (0.05), Yrs=years

3.1. Shoot Length

The mean performance of shoot length of fodder beet cultivars indicated in table 2. The mean shoot length were significant (p < 0.05) different among tested cultivars of fodder beet, the maximum Shoot length (56.2 cm) that obtained from Kulumsa cultivar followed by Bricks cultivar (51.27 cm) at Sinana on station.
Figure 2. Image of fodder beet during field conducted.

3.2. Root Length

The result of root length of fodder beet cultivars indicated shown in table 2. The mean of Root length were significant (p < 0.05) different among tested cultivars of fodder beet, the maximum Shoot length (22.80 cm) that obtained from Kulumsa cultivars followed by Robbos cultivars (20.68 cm) at Sinana and Agarfa locations respectively. The minimum root length obtained from Robbos cultivars (11.83 cm). Also the combined result of root length showed in table 2 significant variations with years and locations in addition to fodder beet cultivars. The maximum root length recorded in Agarfa location (17.92 cm) and third year (2022/23) (18.70 cm) whereas the minimum root length obtained in 2021/22 at Sinana on station (16.15 cm). This might be due to availability of rainfall condition in 2022/23 cropping season.
Table 2. The Mean of plant height of Fodder beet at different locations.
Table 3. The Mean Dry biomass yields of fodder beet at sinana on station and Agarafa sub site for three consecutive cropping seasons.
Table 4. Continued.

Treatments

Total DHrY (t ha-1)

Sinana

Agarfa

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

Bricks

14.00b

11.09

11.65c

10.24a

25.76

14.93c

Kulumsa

21.65a

10.55

16.44b

9.4ab

23.95

25.99a

Magnum

9.38c

11.27

21.64a

8.14b

26.58

19.20b

Robbos

13.51bc

11.79

17.11b

10.67a

23.78

19.30b

Grand Mean

14.64

11.18

16.71

9.61

25.01

19.853

CV (%)

25.99

15.22

10.52

25.99

16.09

9.14

LSD (0.05)

2.196

NS

1.02

0.95

NS

1.05

Table 4. The Mean Fresh biomass yield of fodder beet at sinana on station and Agarafa sub site for three consecutive cropping seasons.

Treatments

Shoot FBMY (t ha-1)

Sinana

Agarfa

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

Bricks

21.31b

23.81b

35.73c

17.29

30.69c

35.60b

Kulumsa

30.94a

29.86a

68.13a

19.51

33.30ab

78.00a

Magnum

19.27b

22.83b

42.4b

16.09

23.47b

39.20b

Robbos

20.05b

22.77b

36.8c

17.83

37.95a

41.6b

Grand Mean

22.89

24.82

45.77

17.678

31.35

48.6

CV (%)

20.48

7.22

7.47

16.13

18.49

15.98

LSD (0.05)

2.71

1.03

1.97

NS

9.43

4.48

Table 5. Comtinued.

Treatments

Root FBMY (t ha-1)

Sinana

Agarfa

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

Bricks

46.56b

38.435

51.6c

30.69c

84.21b

53.6c

Kulumsa

70.15a

39.581

99.2a

33.30ab

129.92a

146.77a

Magnum

26.69c

36.221

77.07b

23.47b

96.28b

71.33b

Robbos

46.33bc

42.269

72.53b

37.95a

118.69a

77.33b

Grand Mean

47.43

39.13

75.1

31.35

107.27

87.26

CV (%)

34.42

15.9

5.25

18.49

16.84

8.77

LSD (0.05)

9.43

NS

4.35

9.43

10.43

4.41

ShootFBMY= Shoot Fresh Biomass yield, RootFBMY= Root Fresh Biomass yield, RootDBMY=Root Dry Biomass Yield, TotalDHrY=Total Dry Herbage Yield
Means with the same letter (a, b, c) in a column for parameters not significantly different (p > 0.05)

3.3. Fresh Shoot Biomass Yield and Root Biomass Yield

The combined analysis result shown in table 5. Fresh shoot biomass yield was significantly different (P < 0.05) among the treatments. The highest fresh shoot biomass yield (41.88 t ha-1) and fresh root biomass (86.49 t ha-1) was obtained from Kulumsa cultivars. However, among other cultivars of fodder beet statistically have not significant different. These results was consistent with those reported by fresh shoot biomass yield and Similar ranges with 84.23 to 106.04 t/ha and 7.11 to 15.00 t/ha, fresh and Dry herbage yield respectively. However, the result obtained from root biomass yield was partially disagreed with the finding reported by . The variation of green root biomass yield might be due to doze of fertilizer application and boron, time of harvesting and seasonal variations.
Table 5. The Combined Mean agronomic data, yield and yield components over location over years.

3.4. Dry Shoot Biomass Yield

The mean of analysis result indicated that dry shoot biomass yield was significantly different (P < 0.05) among the treatments. In (table 3), the highest shoot dry biomass yield (5.86 t ha-1) was obtained from Kulumsa cultivar in 2022/23 at Agarfa sub site. The minimum shoot dry biomass yield obtained from the remaining three cultivars. The combined mean result within years and locations in (table 5); the maximum shoot dry biomass yield recorded in 2022/23 (4.68 t ha-1). The minimum shoot was obtained in 2020/21 and 2021/21 years. However, locations was not significantly affected the dry shoot biomass yield. This result lined with the result obtained by

3.5. Root Dry Biomass Yield

The combined analysis result of dry root biomass yield none significant different (p > 0.05) among the cultivars of fodder beet. The combined result of total dry herbage yield shown in table 5, ranges (11.14 -13.48 t ha-1). However, locations and years affected root dry biomass yield. The maximum root dry biomass yield recorded at Agarfa sub site (14.52 t ha-1) and the minimum obtained from Sinana on station (10.84 t ha-1). Also a significant variation with a year, the maximum recorded in 2022/23 and 2021/22 (14.79 t ha-1 and 13.52 t ha-1) respectively. The minimum root dry biomass yield recorded in 2020/21, the variation is might be due to rainfall condition and time of planting. This result line with the result reported by

3.6. Total Dry Herbage Yield of Fodder beet

The combined analysis result shown in table 5. Total herbage yield was not significantly different (P > 0.05) among the treatments. However, locations and years significantly affected fodder bee herbage yields. The highest total herbage yield (18.16 t ha-1) was obtained at Agarfa location and the minimum recorded from Sinana location. Also year’s significantly affected (p < 0.05). The maximum result of total dry herbage yield recorded in 2022/23 and 2021/22. The minimum obtained in 2020/21, might due to seasonal variation. This result agreed with the finding of which reported dry herbage yield ranges from 7.11 to 15.00 t/ha.
4. Conclusion and Recommendation
The performance of fodder beet was carried out in the Highland Bale zone of Oromia regional state. The result showed that significant (P < 0.05) variation among the cultivars of fodder beet, which means the parameters of; Shoot fresh biomass yield, Root fresh biomass yield, shoot herbage yield, Root length, leaf length and survival rate. All tested fodder Beet cultivars well performed and adapted in the highland of Bale Zone. However Kulumsa cultivar was better in terms of their Biomass yield and other parameters and obtained some seed yields. Therefore it was concluded that Kulumsa cultivars promising to be demonstrated in the study area and under the same agro-climatic conditions and better to popularize for their livestock mix with poor quality (crop residues) as feed resources to enhance animal products.
Abbreviations
LSD: Least Significant Different
NS: None Significant
CV (%): Present of Coefficient Variations
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
References
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[2] Al-Jbawi, E., 2020. All about fodder beet (beta vulgaris subsp. crassa L.) as a source of forage in the world and Syria. Research Journal of Science–RJS1, pp. 24-44.
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[5] Chakwizira, E., Teixeira, E., Meenken, E., Michel, A. J. and Maley, S., 2018. Radiation use efficiency and biomass partitioning to storage roots in fodder beet crops. European Journal of Agronomy, 92, pp. 63-71.
[6] Draycott, A. P. Christenson, D. R., 2003. Nutrients for sugar beet production: Soil-Plant relationships. CAB International, Wallingford, UK.
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    Tesfaye, W., Lencho, G., Wegi, T., Kedu, A. (2024). Performance Evaluation and Adaptability Study of Fodder Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Cultivars in Highlands of Bale Zone South East Ethiopia. American Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering, 12(2), 32-39. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.bio.20241202.12

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    Tesfaye, W.; Lencho, G.; Wegi, T.; Kedu, A. Performance Evaluation and Adaptability Study of Fodder Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Cultivars in Highlands of Bale Zone South East Ethiopia. Am. J. BioSci. Bioeng. 2024, 12(2), 32-39. doi: 10.11648/j.bio.20241202.12

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    AMA Style

    Tesfaye W, Lencho G, Wegi T, Kedu A. Performance Evaluation and Adaptability Study of Fodder Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Cultivars in Highlands of Bale Zone South East Ethiopia. Am J BioSci Bioeng. 2024;12(2):32-39. doi: 10.11648/j.bio.20241202.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.bio.20241202.12,
      author = {Wubshet Tesfaye and Gemechis Lencho and Teklu Wegi and Aliyi Kedu},
      title = {Performance Evaluation and Adaptability Study of Fodder Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Cultivars in Highlands of Bale Zone South East Ethiopia
    },
      journal = {American Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering},
      volume = {12},
      number = {2},
      pages = {32-39},
      doi = {10.11648/j.bio.20241202.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.bio.20241202.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.bio.20241202.12},
      abstract = {Shortage animal feed interims of quality and quantity is the major bottle neck in livestock production through the year in Ethiopia particularly in the highlands of Bale Zone. A study was conducted at Sinana Agricultural Research Center (SARC), South East Ethiopia for three consecutive cropping season (2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23) in two locations (Sinana on station and Agarfa subsite) to evaluate the adaptability of four Cultivars of Fodder beet (namely Bircks, Kulumsa, Magnum and Robbos). Experimental plots were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. All cultivars were performed well. However, there is significant variation among the Cultivars. The combined result over locations over years indicated that, Kulumsa cultivars gives the highest shoot fresh biomass yield (41.88 t ha-1), root fresh biomass yield (86.49 t ha-1) and shoot Dry biomass yield (4.52 t ha-1). The remaining cultivars have not statistically significant different. Based on the results of this study, it is concluded that the Fodder beet Kulumsa cultivars was found a promising in terms of grain and biomass yield, than others that could be demonstrated and popularized as an alternative feed resources under smallholder conditions in the study areas and with similar climatic and edaphic conditions.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Performance Evaluation and Adaptability Study of Fodder Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Cultivars in Highlands of Bale Zone South East Ethiopia
    
    AU  - Wubshet Tesfaye
    AU  - Gemechis Lencho
    AU  - Teklu Wegi
    AU  - Aliyi Kedu
    Y1  - 2024/04/17
    PY  - 2024
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.bio.20241202.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.bio.20241202.12
    T2  - American Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering
    JF  - American Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering
    JO  - American Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering
    SP  - 32
    EP  - 39
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2328-5893
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.bio.20241202.12
    AB  - Shortage animal feed interims of quality and quantity is the major bottle neck in livestock production through the year in Ethiopia particularly in the highlands of Bale Zone. A study was conducted at Sinana Agricultural Research Center (SARC), South East Ethiopia for three consecutive cropping season (2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23) in two locations (Sinana on station and Agarfa subsite) to evaluate the adaptability of four Cultivars of Fodder beet (namely Bircks, Kulumsa, Magnum and Robbos). Experimental plots were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. All cultivars were performed well. However, there is significant variation among the Cultivars. The combined result over locations over years indicated that, Kulumsa cultivars gives the highest shoot fresh biomass yield (41.88 t ha-1), root fresh biomass yield (86.49 t ha-1) and shoot Dry biomass yield (4.52 t ha-1). The remaining cultivars have not statistically significant different. Based on the results of this study, it is concluded that the Fodder beet Kulumsa cultivars was found a promising in terms of grain and biomass yield, than others that could be demonstrated and popularized as an alternative feed resources under smallholder conditions in the study areas and with similar climatic and edaphic conditions.
    
    VL  - 12
    IS  - 2
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Animal Feed Resource and Rangeland Improvement, Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Sinana Agricultural Research Center, Bale Robe, Ethiopia

  • Animal Feed Resource and Rangeland Improvement, Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Sinana Agricultural Research Center, Bale Robe, Ethiopia

  • Animal Feed Resource and Rangeland Improvement, Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Sinana Agricultural Research Center, Bale Robe, Ethiopia

  • Animal Feed Resource and Rangeland Improvement, Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Sinana Agricultural Research Center, Bale Robe, Ethiopia

  • Abstract
  • Keywords
  • Document Sections

    1. 1. Introduction
    2. 2. Materials and Methods
    3. 3. Results and Discussion
    4. 4. Conclusion and Recommendation
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  • Abbreviations
  • Conflicts of Interest
  • References
  • Cite This Article
  • Author Information